My Economic Contribution

It wasn't the stimulus check from Uncle B. But, it was my contribution to the economy and more importantly, my bike quiver. I've put almost 200 miles on her so far and WOW! It's the first carbon bike I've owned and is she amazing! The second ride I did with a friend of mine that rides road he declared he didn't like my new bike because he was back to chasing me on the climbs.

I got the bike fit done today so I can't wait for the warm weather that is coming so I can get back out and get some riding in. I know there are a few closet roadies out there, so I'll see you out there. I'm the one on the new Tarmac with permagrin stuck on my face and bugs in my teeth.

Beautiful bike...you need to make some further contribution to the economy in the form of some lighter wheels.

Yep - compact cranks and I love them! I was pushing a 53/39 on my last bike and just didn't like it as much. I want to get a set of Ultegra SL compact cranks. New wheels will probably get added to the list at some point but 105 wheels will take the day to day abuse very well.

Is that the Tarmac Elite? I almost bought that rig a couple months ago, but ended up with the Allez Expert (silver bullet) below with a triple Ultegra crank. It was on closeout. Friends tried to talk me out of the triple, but i've already justified my decision on some steep climbs. I thought it felt a little livelier than the Tarmac as well . These things are like rockets. Enjoy your new ride.

A term someone in the Road industry coined for smaller chainrings. A "traditional" double has a 52 or 53 tooth big ring and a small ring somewhere between 39 at 42 or so. The compact has a 50/34 typically. With 10 speed on the rear there's plenty of gear range to cover most situations.

Chances are that your MTB cranks are "compact". They came out in the mid 90's. I think Ritchey was the first (that I can remember). Used to be that your big ring was 48 tooth give or take a couple, I don't remember the other rings that well.

The actual way to identify a compact crank (at least for road) is by the bolt spacing (110mm vs 130 (or 135 if you're a campy fan) not the number of teeth on a ring. I think MTB's are 110 for standard and like 94 for compact (or somewhere in that ballpark).